Day by Day with St. John Baptist de La Salle

October 1st

St. Remigius(ca 437 - 530)

Far-Reaching Consequences

The greatest good that St. Remigius did for the church during his episcopate was to convert and baptise Clovis, the King. In this he was helped by the prayers and the efforts of St. Clotilda. It was this that also procured salvation for various provinces of this kingdom. As a result the Pope admired and congratulated him. What a glorious thing it was for St. Remigius before God and before the world to have contributed as much as he did to lead so many of the French people to become Christians, and to have caused Jesus Christ to be adored where until then he was unknown.

Your work does not consist

·in making your disciples to be Christians, but

·in helping them to be true Christians.

It would avail them little to have received baptism if they did not live according to the Christian spirit. To give this spirit to others you have to possess it well yourself. Recognise what this requires of you. It is without doubt to put into practice the holy Gospel.
(Meditations for Sundays and Feasts)

You were baptised into union with Christ, and now you are clothed, so to speak, with the life of Christ himself. (Gal 3:27)

October 2nd

The Guardian Angels

My Guardian Dear

Let us thank God for the grace he has given us in assigning an angel to take care of us, protect us, and serve us. The help we receive from our good angels is considerable. They suggest to us good and holy thoughts, urge us to do penance, offer our prayers to God and they pray for us.

The Royal Prophet speaks about them briefly saying:

“They will bear you up in their hands lest you dash your foot against a stone.”

In other words, lest your soul be wounded by the slightest sin.

“You will walk on the asp and the adder, and trample underfoot the lion and the dragon.”

This means that under their guidance we will remain invulnerable against all the attacks of the devil.

Every time we feel ourselves assailed by some violent temptation and threatened by some considerable difficulty, let us invoke this angel who watches over us.

Often pray also to the Guardian Angels of your students, so that they may willingly practise the good you have taught them.
(Meditations for Sundays and Feasts)

God will put his angels in charge of you to protect you wherever you go.
(Ps 91:11)

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October 3rd

Don’t Take Offence

You must not take it upon yourself to reprimand anyone

·unless you are obliged to do so or

·unless the matter is important.

It is a serious fault to set yourself up as critic and public censor. You should judge everyone favourably and not concern yourself with their actions unless you are responsible for their behaviour and are bound to instruct them and lead them to do what is right.

If it happens that someone insults you, it would be acting like a prudent person not to be offended by it. It is a sign of a mean spirit if you cannot endure an insult, and a Christian should not show any resentment. The Wise Man advises you to forget all the slights you may experience from your neighbour.(Eccl 10:6)

Jesus Christ wants you not only to pardon your enemies but also to do good to them, no matter what the wrong or displeasure they have caused you.
(Christian Politeness)

But now I tell you: do not take revenge on someone who wrongs you. (Mt 5:39)

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October 4th

St. Francis of Assisi(1181-1226)

Christ In The Poor

So great was the love of St. Francis for the poor

·that he gladly gave them alms on every occasion and

·was unable to turn down anyone who asked him for anything.

This was because he saw Jesus Christ in their persons and was convinced that what ever good he did to them, he did to Jesus Christ himself.

This same love for the poor led this great saint to devote himself to instructing them rather than the rich. Motivated by this same love for the poor, he served them in the hospitals of the places he visited. It was to imitate Jesus Christ, who also loved the company of the poor, that St. Francis showed special happiness in their midst.

You are required by your work to love the poor since it is your duty to instruct them. Look upon them as images of Jesus Christ. In this way the more affection you show for them, the more you will belong to Jesus Christ.

(Meditations for Sundays and Feasts)

Share your food with the hungry and open your homes to the homeless poor. Give clothes to those who have nothing to wear, and do not refuse to help your own relatives. (Is 58:7)

October 5th

Bear One Anothers Burdens

A courtier begged Jesus to come to his house to cure his son who was at the point of death. Jesus answered him,

“unless you see miracles and wonders you do not believe.”

This Gospel can be very well applied to many persons living in community who frequently and inappropriately would like to see miracles in order to believe that they should do the good that is their duty.

We are not exempt from suffering from others, because it is not possible for two people to live together without causing suffering to one another in some way or other. Because we make others suffer, it is only right that we should suffer from them in our turn. This is a burden which God has imposed on all people, which helps them to be saved.

Do not be so foolish, then,
so unreasonable, and
so unchristian
as to expect to have nothing to suffer from your Brothers; for this would really be to ask for a most extraordinary and unheard of miracle. Do not expect it, then, to happen anytime during your life.

(Meditations for Sundays and Feasts
-20th Sunday After Pentecost)

But if you endure suffering even when you have done right, God will bless you for it. (1 Pet 2:20)

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October 6th

St. Bruno(ca 1035 - 1101)

A Powerful Combination

St. Bruno was a learned teacher who taught theology at the University of Paris and later in Reims. In both places he won general approval by his wise conduct as well as by his profound learning. He also maintained a seriousness that earned him the respect of all.

Piety by itself is ordinarily useful only for the persons who possess it, but when learning is united with piety, it makes for great persons, very useful to the Church. Such was St. Bruno, at once a burning and a shining light,

·burning because of his love for God, and

·shining because of the excellent lessons he gave to others.

You should try to share in the interior and exterior graces of this great saint. You will share in his interior graces by vigilance over yourself, by good works, prayer and piety. You will share in his external graces by striving to know thoroughly the Christian doctrine you have to teach your students, and by inspiring your students with piety through your sound teaching.
(Meditations for Sundays and Feasts)

Leave the dead to bury their dead; your duty is to go and spread the news of the Kingdom of God. (Lk 9:60)

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October 7th

Gospel Maxims

The truths which the Holy Spirit teaches to those who receive him are the maxims found in the Gospel. He helps them to understand these maxims, to take them to heart, and to live and act according to them.

The Spirit of God alone can give us a correct understanding of the Gospel maxims because they are above the level of the human spirit. How, indeed, can we ever realise

·that blessed are the poor,

·that we should love those who hate us, and

·that we rejoice when people say all sorts of evil against us,

·that we should return good for evil,

unless the Spirit of God himself teaches them to us?

You are obliged to teach these holy maxims to the children you are charged to instruct. You must be thoroughly convinced of them yourself, so that you may impress them deeply in the hearts of your pupils.
(Meditations for Sundays and Feasts)

The Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and make you remember all that I have told you. (Jn 14:26)

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October 8th

Worldly Spirit

I am upset that you must have so much contact with the world. It is easy for me to see that because of this your piety has diminished.

I know, too, that there is a great deal of corruption where you are and that you have to be very careful and watchful over yourself not to get caught up in it. Blessed be God that he has given you the grace to keep free from it up till now.

Make sure that you take advantage of this time and of such a wonderful opportunity to try to give up worldly ways and to adopt a simple demeanour and the manners and way of acting in keeping with the Spirit of God.

To overcome the worldly spirit to which you have quite a tendency, devote yourself
to prayer and
to the spiritual exercises
and restrict the number of visits you make. Take up the practice of prayer once and for all, I beg you.
(Letters)

Don’t you know that to be the world’s friend means to be God’s enemy? (Jas 4:4)

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October 9th

Fruitful Visiting

Occasions when decorum founded on justice dictates visiting would be, for example, when a parent has a sick child or a child a sick parent.

If someone feels hatred or aversion toward another person, the rules of the Gospel require that one must visit the other to reconcile their differences and to live at peace with one another.

Christian decorum is inspired by charity when during a visit you contribute to the salvation of a neighbour, or render him some service, pay him your respects, or maintain with him a truly Christian union.

It was always for one or other of these reasons that Jesus Christ acted in the visits he made. He did so

·to convert some soul to God, as when he visited Zacheus;

·to raise the dead to life, as when he went to Martha’s after the death of Lazarus;

·to cure the sick, as when he went to Peter’s house;

as a token of friendship and good will, as in the last visit to Martha and Mary.

(Christian Politeness)

I was sick and you took care of me, in prison and you visited me. (Mt 25:36)

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October 10th

Steps to Humility

If you wish to make great progress in the practice of this virtue, carry out the following directions:

No matter what the source of the humiliation, accept it as what you deserve.

Wait for humiliations to come.

Look on everything that happens as good, especially when it humbles you and is opposed to your natural inclinations. There is no better way of destroying your deep-seated pride than the acceptance each day of humiliations.

Your opinion of yourself should always be a lowly one.
Humble yourself when you cause suffering to others, and
when you find others criticising what you do,
be convinced that they are right.
(Letters)

God brings down the proud and saves the humble. (Job 22:29)

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October 11th

Different Personalities

You wicked servant, said the ruler, should you not have had compassion on your fellow servant, even as I had compassion on you? God has forgiven you a huge debt; he certainly expects you also to forgive those of your Brothers who owe anything to you.

It is impossible for several persons living together not to have to suffer from one another. One will have a touchy disposition,
·another will have a contrary spirit,
·another bad manners,
·another will be disagreeable,
·another will be too prone to give in,
·another will say what he thinks too quickly,
·another will be too reserved and secretive,
·another will be too critical.

If grace does not come to the rescue, it is almost impossible to live in harmony with one another and that charity not suffer severely.

The way to maintain union in a community in spite of all these different personalities is to bear up charitably with the defects of each other, to be ready to make allowances for others just as we want others to make allowances for us. Pay serious attention to this today and for the rest of your life.
(Meditations for Sundays and Feasts
-21st Sunday After Pentecost)

How good, how delightful it is for all to live together like brothers. (Ps 133:1)

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October 12th

Recreation and Relaxation

Take a short recreation every day so that you may afterwards resume your duties with greater affection and application. Look upon this relaxation as similar to that which our Lord sometimes accorded his Apostles.

Be careful not to become dissipated and do not lose sight of the presence of God.

Does your tongue cause you some disquietude of conscience during this time?

Be moderate in your conduct and observe discretion in your words.
(Collection)

Let us go off by ourselves to some place where we will be alone and you can rest for a while. (Mk 6:31)

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October 13th

Be On Guard

Hypocrisy or embarrassment over confessing sins were the reasons why Judas fell. Outwardly he seemed to act like the other apostles. He stayed with them for three years without anyone’s having noticed anything out of place in his conduct. Although Jesus Christ was able to speak to him before he committed his crime,
nothing was able to touch him and
he never declared either to Jesus or to anyone else
the least word which might have revealed the evil state of his conscience.

This evil may occur even in the holiest communities. Judas was in the company of Jesus Christ, and he committed the crime because, as Jesus testified, he was a devil.

A devil in the company of Jesus Christ! Who could imagine such a thing? He received day after day the instructions of such a good teacher and yet to what an extent he abused them! Yet what happened to this apostle may happen to anyone else. Tremble at the thought, and be on your guard.
(Meditations for Sundays and Feast)

I chose the twelve of you, didn’t I? Yet one of you is a devil! (Jn 6:70)

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October 14th

When the Road is Rough

You will not find it very difficult to give yourself to God if you have a little generosity. I hope he will give it to you. Is it not an honour, a very great honour, for you to give yourself entirely to God?

If you seek God and not consolation, you will find peace of mind.

Sometimes it seems Our Lord is asleep,

but then he awakens and sets us on our way.

We must not go faster or at a different pace from what he wants of us, and we must rest when he wishes it.

Do you have to experience consolations to remain in God’s service?

Are you not prepared to be his simply out of love for him?

Throw yourself into his arms; he is your Father and he will carry you when the road is rough, that is, in time of temptation.

(Letters)

Leave all your worries with him, because he cares for you. (1 Pet 5:7)

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October 15th

St. Teresa of Avila(1515-1582)

Problems in Prayer?

God was pleased to support St. Teresa’s ardent love for suffering. For many years he tested her

·with very painful illnesses,

·with very violent temptations, and

·with dryness in prayer

which was very difficult to endure. Thus she experienced not only the tenderness but also the rigours with which God sometimes treats a soul that he loves, and which he desires to favour with extraordinary graces.

He also did some great things for this saint, for after difficult and long years of dryness, she received a very elevated gift of prayer, which she describes in clear detail in her writings which are considered among the faithful as a heavenly teaching.

Since she found everything in God, she had the happiness of finding God in everything. Wherever, and in whatever condition she might be, God was her guide. How fortunate she was to enjoy the presence of God. This caused her to perform all her actions in view of God.

If you love God, prayer will be the food of your soul.
(Meditations for Sundays and Feasts)

My grace is all you need, for my power is greatest when you are weak.
(2 Cor 12:9)

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October 16th

A Clear Conscience

You should be guided in what you do by your rules, not by those who transgress them. Let people think what they wish of you, and do not be troubled, provided you are doing what you ought.

Slackness and rationalising will lead you into many faults. From now on, look on your rules as an explanation and an application of what is contained in the Gospels. The spirit of faith will lead you to give practical application to this frame of mind.

In all matters I advise you to act as being in the presence of God and not to please others. To take pains that others have nothing to reproach you with and not to be concerned about God is to act as a hypocrite, and not as a Christian.

(Letters)

Keep your faith and a clear conscience. Some people have not listened to their conscience and have made a ruin of their faith. (1 Tim 1:19)

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October 17th

St. Ignatius, Bishop of Antioch (died Ca 107)

Christian Firmness

Saint Ignatius was one of the first disciples and one of the most worthy successors of the apostles. He preached the Gospel and did much to spread religion with a most astonishing zeal and courage. The more opposition he met with, the more active he became
·without any human respect or fear,
·not even of the emperor,
·whom he vigorously withstood,
·caring nothing for either threats or promises.

Having been condemned to be devoured by the lions, St. Ignatius said it was then that he was beginning to be a disciple of Jesus Christ, because he no longer desired anything in this world and feared none of all the torments that tyrants could invent to maltreat his body.

It is with this kind of truly Christian firmness and generosity that you should uphold God’s cause.
(Meditations for Sundays and Feasts)

Pray that I may be bold in speaking about the gospel as I should. (Eph 6:20)

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October 18th

St. Luke, Evangelist

The Pen Is Mightier Than The Sword

It was St. Luke’s privilege to write the holy Gospel and in this way to be one of the secretaries of Jesus Christ. He was also the historian of the foundation of the true religion by writing the book of the Acts.

It could be that St. Luke did not often proclaim in person the holy Gospel, and he may not have converted a great many people by his preaching. But how many did he not bring to embrace our religion through his writings!

Spoken words pass on and touch hearts only once and momentarily, but written words which last forever are able to convert a great number of souls.

Listen with docility to the word of God and
read it every day with attention.
(Meditations for Sundays and Feasts)

What I have written stays written. (Jn 19:22)

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October 19th

St. Peter of Alcantara

Pray Always

This saint had a marvellous gift of prayer and he spent a great deal of time in this exercise. His recollection at prayer was ordinarily so great that it obtained for him an almost continual sense of the presence of God.

He took such delight in prayer that he had an extreme dislike of sleep, because, as he said, this was the only thing that could separate him from God’s presence. This saint used to say that a half hour of prayer should be looked upon as only a preparation for making it well.

Try to apply yourselves well to prayer by the practice of interior recollection. If you persevere in this, it will make the practice of the presence of God easy. There is nothing you should, or could, procure with more care because

·it gives a foretaste of eternal happiness, and

·it is also of great use to you in your work

since this work aims at winning souls for God.

It is, therefore, a matter of great consequence not to lose sight of God in your work.

(Meditations for Sundays and Feasts)

Be joyful always, pray at all times. (1 Thess 5:16)

October 20th

Be a Leader?

The Pharisees and Herodians praised Our Lord because he taught the way of God in truth, without considering who a person was and without paying attention to a person’s status.

This is, first of all, what superiors should do. They are the ones about whose conduct people often try to find something to criticise.

Those in the community who like to be independent sometimes find that the superior is too exacting and too troublesome;

·if he is discreet and serious, they say he is too sedate;

·if his appearance is pleasant and winning, they say he is too open and too accommodating;

·if he admonishes frequently and does not let anything slip by, they say that he is too severe;

·if he does well in the minds of some, he does badly according to others.

Thus, hardly any of his actions will not be blameworthy.

All a superior should do in this matter is not let himself be worried by what may be said about him.
(Meditations for Sundays and Feasts
-22nd Sunday After Pentecost)

The Lord’s servant must not quarrel. He must be kind towards all, a good and patient teacher, who is gentle as he corrects his opponents, for it may be that God will give them the opportunity to repent and come to know the truth. (2 Tim 2:24-25)

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October 21st

St. Hilarion(4th Century)

Power of Good Example

Saint Hilarion was competent in humane literature, thanks to the keenness of his mind but he made himself much more admirable by the purity of his life and especially by his great piety.

The example of St. Anthony did much to help him acquire this spirit. Once near him he observed with great care St. Anthony’s way of life and his great abstinence, which no infirmity could make him quit. He also noted the saint’s

·assiduous application to prayer,

·his humility in dealing with his brothers,

·his strictness joined to gentleness when he corrected them, and

·the zeal he showed for their sanctification.

Later on St. Hilarion dedicated himself with all conceivable fervour to practise all these virtues which he had observed in St. Anthony.

What power and efficacy example has to convert souls and to lead them to make progress in virtue!

(Meditations for Sundays and Feasts)

... for Christ himself suffered for you, and left you an example, so that you would follow in his steps. (1 Pet 2:21)

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October 22nd

Power of Silence

Now is the time for little speech and much action. Let your aim be to become very silent and very humble and to apply yourself to prayer.

To do this you need little thinking, little desiring and little understanding; yet it is the way to live at peace.

You will find silence very useful, even a very necessary virtue, if you are to

·adore God,

·serve him in spirit and in truth and

·resist temptations.

You must learn how to be silent and to speak only when necessary. Always remain silent when others annoy you, and let God alone be the witness of your innocence.

Take care never to justify yourself, but, on the contrary, admit that you were wrong, without of course telling an untruth.

(Letters)

I said, I will be careful what I do, and will not let my tongue make me sin. (Ps 39:1)

October 23rd

Demanding the Impossible

There are many people who demand miracles and prodigies from themselves. They would like to do everything well and without reproach. But they do not want to take the trouble to attain this.

Whenever they have to do violence to themselves to realise their grand plan, they lose breath, so to speak, at the first step they take in the path of perfection. They would want God to carry them without their having to advance. That certainly would be a great miracle.

St. Paul says that it must be

“through many tribulations that we enter into the Kingdom of God.”

When he says it must be, he is telling us that it would be asking God for a miracle to expect him to have us enter heaven without taking the only road necessary to arrive there.

So, then, without waiting for such a miracle, take the true path to heaven, which is the path of suffering. This is the narrow gate; do all you can to enter it, and Jesus Christ will not fail to give you his hand to help you enter.

(Meditations for Sundays and Feast)

Do your best to go in through the narrow door; because many people will surely try to go in but will not be able. (Lk 13:24)

October 24th

New Teachers

8. The Right Balance

The Supervisor must take care that new teachers avoid both extremes, avoiding any external appearance which on the one hand is
too lax,
too free,
too flighty, or
too giddy, or
on the other betrays so great a reserve or recollection they fail to watch over their students.

New teachers must not keep their eyes fixed and staring at one spot, but should be looking around the class. They must not be so absorbed in reading in their textbook that they fail to be at least equally attentive to watching over the students. In a word, new teachers should try to do all this as well as they can, with prudence, and with the experience which they will acquire over the years.

(Conduct of Schools)

Be alert, be on the watch! (1 Pet 5:8)

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October 25th

Dead or Asleep?

When Jesus entered the house of a chief of the synagogue to raise his daughter to life, he made a crowd of people get out, saying that the girl was not dead, but asleep. In like manner it can be said of several persons who have left the world and entered a community that they are not dead, but are only sleeping. This they show clearly enough by their conduct.

The passions of such people are not dead. Some accept everything of a humiliating nature that is said to them in the streets, but in the house if someone reproves them, or gives them notice of their defects, they are very upset.

Others do not wish to suffer anything either within or outside the house. They murmur, they shake their heads, make signs to show their dissatisfaction, or even utter threats.

Others support their superiors, but if one of their Brothers says a harsh word to them, or if someone does something to displease them, at once they are disturbed.

The passions of such persons are not dead, but only sleeping for a time, after which they awaken with much vitality in some, in others a little more moderately, in some more often, in others more rarely.

(Meditations for Sundays and Feasts

-23rd Sunday After Pentecost )

In the past you were spiritually dead because of your disobedience and sins.
(Eph 2:1)

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October 26th

Everybody Has Defects

The charity which is required of us presupposes a patience that is proof against everything. Everybody has defects, and we bring them with us everywhere we go. Consequently, it is only by overlooking them among ourselves that we can maintain peace and union even in the most select societies. This is why St. Paul says that charity endures all things.

Some will say:

“This I will endure from my Brother, but as for that, I cannot bring myself to put up with it;”

or some will say :

“My disposition is incompatible with his.”

Therefore, as soon as something occurs which you find hard to bear, you fail to show charity toward your brother or union with him.

Think seriously about this. If you believe that you can live in a community without supporting the defects of your brothers, you are mistaken, and you have made a mistake in entering. Make your mind up on this matter for the rest of your life.
(Meditations for Sundays and Feast)

Love never gives up, and its faith, hope, and patience never fail. (1 Cor 13:7)

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October 27th

True Peace

As true interior peace proceeds from love, nothing is more able to destroy it than whatever makes us lose the love of God. What will separate us, asks St. Paul, from the love of Jesus Christ?

·Will it be tribulation, that is, either interior or exterior trials?

·Will it be distress, that is, whatever can cause you some vexation, like separation or privation of something to which you are attached?

·Will it be hunger, because you live in a poor community and have to live sparingly?

·Will it be nakedness, because you are given worn or patched clothes causing you embarrassment in public?

·Will it be some danger, in which you might lose your health or even your life?

·Will it be some persecution, such as insults and vicious treatment against you?

·Will it be the sword, a calumny that someone has spread against you?

None of these things can make you lose your interior peace if it is a true peace, because none of them can cause you to lose charity.
(Meditations for Sundays and Feasts)

Peace is what I leave with you; it is my own peace that I give you. I do not give it as the world does. (Jn 14:27)

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October 28th

Saints Simon and Jude, Apostles

Make Him Known

Saints Simon and Jude, seeing the miracles performed by Jesus Christ, quit the world in order to follow him and be numbered among his disciples. They had such an ardent zeal for the establishment and progress of the Christian religion, that nothing was able to stop them.

Remain steadfast in the practice of what is right, in spite of all the obstacles you may encounter. God will bless all you do with zeal for love of him, and you will be victorious over those who will oppose what you are doing for God. Do not bother to please those whom Jesus Christ could not please and who are his declared enemies. Often say with St. Paul:

“If I were pleasing men, I would not be worthy to be a servant of Jesus Christ.”

However, it is not enough for you to be true servants of Jesus; you are further obliged to make him known and adored by the children whom you instruct. The care you ought to have for your own perfection should lead you to do this.
(Meditations for Sundays and Feasts)

And you, too, will speak about me, because you have been with me from the very beginning. (Jn 15:27)

October 29th

Nearing the End

I seriously think that, since I have given but little time to prayer for so long, it is right that I should now spend more time in prayer in order to learn what God wishes of me.

You know that I am always ready to obey you in everything since
I am now subject to your authority, and
I did not vow obedience to do what I like.

Please, my dear Brother, for the love of God, in the future you must no longer think of applying to me for anything at all. You have your superiors, and it is with them you should discuss the spiritual and temporal matters that concern you.

From now on I wish to think only of preparing myself for death, which is soon to separate me from all in this life.
(Letters)

I adore in all things the will of God in my regard.
(Last Words)

Not my will, but yours be done. (Mk 14:36)

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October 30th

New Teachers

6. Sentimentality & Particular Friendship

Teachers in training need to realise that they must never
spoil certain students
while
neglecting others.

This does not mean that we should not have a special love for those who by their piety, assiduity, faithfulness, docility, and by their other good qualities, make themselves especially recommendable. Ordinarily and before the entire group, however, no token of external affection should be given to some more than to others.

New teachers must not keep their favourite students nearby, sharing confidences and secrets with them during school time. Neither should they place the cute, the nice-looking children, those who are quick witted, and those who are agreeable in appearance near to themselves. They must never tolerate in certain children what they would not be willing to put up with in others.
(Conduct of Schools)

You must never treat people in different ways according to their outward appearance. (Jas 2:1)

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October 31st

Riches in Poverty

I believe you, my God, became a child for love of me. You were born in a stable in the dead of winter. You lay on hay and straw. Your love for me reduced you to such poverty.

You could have been born in an abundance of riches and honours and in the most magnificent palace. At your birth you could have taken possession of the kingdoms of the world, because they belonged to you. But you preferred not to profit from these rights.

Your infinite wisdom judged that it was much more to my advantage to give me

·the example of the life which I must lead,

·the road which I must follow

·to reach true glory,

·to enjoy spiritual and heavenly wealth.

I do this by detachment from the perishable goods of the earth and of false and ephemeral honours.

You know, Lord, how my proud, avaricious, and sensual nature inclines me to these things.

(Conduct of Schools)

I will give you all this power and all this wealth, the Devil told him. It has all been handed over to me and I can give it to anyone I choose. All this will be yours, then, if you worship me. (Lk 4:6-7)